Wireless Surround Sound - Home Theatre or Wireless System?

nickyd84 on 05/01/2016 - 09:57

Hi All,

I've have a new TV arriving tomorrow (LG 60" 4k refurb from the dealsdirect 25% off Christmas Day deal), and thinking about upgrading my soundbar to surround sound. I have a wireless sub with my soundbar, but I'm really after wireless rear speakers.

I am not looking to spend Sonos or Bose kind of money ($1500+ is too rich), so looking at potentially LG Flow or some kind of home theatre set up with wireless rear speakers. I like the look of a lot of the wireless speaker systems, but it doesnt look like many work with TVs unless there's a soundbar that's compatible (Sonos, LG)

My main question is - If I get Home Theatre (5.1) then will all of the speakers work if I am watching something that may not be coded in 5.1, for example a torrented film? If I did get LG Flow with a couple of rear speakers (+ soundbar), will this always play stereo behind me on the bookshelf speakers? I mostly watch TV and Netflix, so I assume it would work for most things I watch. But I will likely HDMI my laptop in to watch some things too.

Sorry if this is a bit basic. Keen to hear if anyone has a good set up with wireless rear speakers around the $500 mark (or under).

Thanks

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • plmko on 05/01/2016 - 10:08

    You need to find out if your gear has a stereo mode and then learn how to use features like Dolby Prologic II or DTS Neo6 etc if you want the entire system to work despite not having discrete channels for each speaker

    • nickyd84 on 05/01/2016 - 10:18

      Looks like I have some reading to do!

      The TV is this http://www.lg.com/au/tvs/lg-60UF850T and the audio spec is as follows:

      Speaker System - harman/kardon® design
      Sound Channels - Stereo (2-way, 4 speakers)
      Audio Decoder - DTS/Dolby Digital/AAC/PCM
      Audio Output - 20W Total
      Surround System - Ultra Surround
      Sound Mode - Yes (6 Modes)
      Smart Sound Mode - Yes
      Audio Return Channel - Yes

      Or by gear you mean the speaker set up I choose?

      • MagicWhip on 05/01/2016 - 10:20

        Pretty sure that "ULTRA Surround" is just a term they use for their physical in-built speakers, which would be redundant if you connect an external system

        • plmko on 05/01/2016 - 10:31

          I've seen before some TVs have the ability to connect external speakers like rear ones and the whole system acts as an all in one.

          But this just complicates things (ironically) when it comes to sound formats. Best to get a cheap thing for $500, I'm sure there are plenty HT in a box sets (aka full receiver with satellites) to choose from at that price.

        • nickyd84 on 05/01/2016 - 13:49

          @plmko: having just 2 wireless rear speakers sounds good, but it makes it more complicated?

  • MagicWhip on 05/01/2016 - 10:17
    +1

    Home Theatre system @5.1 will work regardless of channel output. Will be 5.1 when using 5.1.

    A home theatre system with wireless rear speakers would be great. Budget 500 should do the trick. Perfect for home.

  • chu-oh on 05/01/2016 - 11:13

    I have the Phillips htl9100 which has 2 detachable rear speakers that will do 5.1 or play stereo out of the back speakers if they're detached and the source isn't 5.1.

    Really love it, they've got good reach as well - we put them on the balcony when we're having a bbq and they work fine - battery lasts for ages too. We got it 12 months ago for around $600.

    • nickyd84 on 05/01/2016 - 11:54
      +1

      Nice, looks like you got a good price for them! Phillips is my soundbar and It's done well. I'll have a look in to this one, but a quick search puts it around $700+ so a bit out of budget. thank you

      • chu-oh on 05/01/2016 - 13:50
        +1

        http://www.rio.com.au/product/philips-htl-9100-home-theater-… Found it for $595

        • nickyd84 on 05/01/2016 - 14:02

          awesome, thanks these do look great. Reviews are brilliant across the board too.

          Now…to see if I can find anywhere to price beat! Although the more I look at them, the more I want to stretch budget (although budget was stretched a bit already at 500)

          Thanks

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